Welcome to the Plane of Theros, a world of gods, monsters, and heroes. If you're anything like me one of your favorite parts of magic is learning about all the planes within the vast multiverse, dissecting the lore and locations. So I decided to create a small series where I will take a look at the rich lore of Theros step by step. Going over all the many important people, places, and of course gods that encompass this Greece-like plane. In this first article, we will be taking a look at each of the gods that make up the Pantheon of Theros.
There are many Gods and minor Gods within the Pantheon on Theros. Each one representing different aspects of life on and of the Plane. As far as the mortals can perceive the gods have always been a part of this plane, but in fact, the gods were created in Nyx out of the collective desires and needs of the mortals long ago. These beings now reside in the plane of Nyx reaching out to the devoted of Theros if they see fit. The major gods shape the very world, overseeing death, or bringing light to the world; while the minor gods oversee the many facets of mortal life. Mechanically each major god represents a color of the pie while the minor gods represent each combination of colors. With that out of the way, let's take a look at the gods of Theros.
Heliod
The first god on our list, and the one who would smite me if he was any lower on it, we have the Sun-god Heliod. He is represented as White and the weapon he wields is Khrusor, the sun spear. He is the patron of law, retribution, and morality. His very presence in the sky illuminates all of Theros and is an ever-watchful eye. Heliod Is a god-like no other, the most powerful of all the gods, ruler of the Pantheon, at least that's what he would have you believe.
While Heliod can be a just and righteous protector he is also a very arrogant god who believes he sits at the head of all of Theros, claiming a throne that doesn't exist.
In time this arrogance is what creates conflict between him and Purphoros, the god of the forge. This pride and fear of losing his coveted position in the pantheon lead him down the dark road that eventually has him betraying his own champion Elspeth. We won't be going into to much detail of the story in this video as I don't want it to get off course but it should be mentioned that Heliod was also the one who created the great weapon Godsend for Elspeth, the weapon she eventually used to slay Xenegos and the weapon Heliod would eventually use to betray Elspeth.
Thassa
Next up on this list, we have the great goddess of the sea, Thassa. She is represented by the color blue and once wielded the bident Dekella, that is until it was stolen from her by the planeswalker Kirora. Thassa is the patron of Knowledge, time, and introspection; her very whims move the great sea of Theros, and the giant creatures that tower above any naval ship bow to her every command. Because of this, an offering must always be made to her before any voyage and the intelligent sea fairing people of Meletis have erected great temples in her honor.
Erebos
Third up on the list, we have the one God who does not reside in Nyx, but instead holds his court in the underworld, Erebos. This god is represented by the color black and wields the great whip Mastix which he uses to pull the unwilling dead to their final resting place. He is the Patron of misfortune, envy, and of course death. Erebos was born out of the first shadow to touch Theros and was soon after cast down to the underworld by Heliod. Often praise for him is done in back alleys and deathbeds, those wishing for fortune taken from others or those pleading to remain of the living.
Purphoros
The fourth major god of the pantheon is the god Purphoros, the god of the forge, shaper of the Theros. He is represented by the color red and is the patron of artisans, fire, and passion. He wields the giant hammer Akmon which he uses to mold the very mountainside. His grand designs inspire mortals to create great works, and through him discovered bronze working which helped elevate them to new heights of craftsmanship.
Klothys
In the set Theros Beyond death we were introduced to one of the oldest Gods of Theros (the other being Kruphix) in the God Klothys. At this age, in Theros not many lived who even knew stories of this God, for long ago she sealed herself away with the titans, in order to act as their guardians so they may not destroy Theros. The reason for her return has to do with her domain of godhood, you see Klothys is the God of destiny. She could sense that Elspeth was going against her death and making her way to the living to avenge her death. Klothys' return meant the release of the titans and yet she could not stop Elspeths return. Being the God of Destiny though she could not so easily let her go and created a life in the Planewalker Calix, who now hunts down Elspeth on his creator's wish.
Nylea
The final of the Major gods is the goddess Nylea, protector of the woods, and the natural order. She is the patron of the seasons, the hunt and metamorphosis, and is represented by the color green. She wields the great bow Ephixis, a bow whose arrow helped Elspeth slay Xenagos. Nylea has no love for the cities of mortal men, as well as their use of agriculture, both of which are an abhorrent misuse of the planet and its natural resources.
Athreos
The first of the minor gods are Athreos, the river guide. He is the ferryman that takes the recently dead souls to the underworld and is represented by the colors black and white. He is a decayed hunched figure who will gladly fulfill his role until the end of time.
Ephara
Next up is the goddess of the Polis, the city-states of Theros, Ephara. She is represented by the colors white and blue. She is the patron of the organization of man, scholarship, and of industry. Of all the City states the Polis of Meletis owe her a great debt and hold her in high regard for her aid against the archon agnomakhos a titan who nearly destroyed them with the aid of the leonin.
Irous
The third minor god is Irous, the god of honor and bravery. He is represented by the colors white and red, he favors those who show valor and bravery on the battlefield. Those who wish to accomplish glory against their enemies will make offering up to him and the warrior people of the polis Akros always look for his favor in their everyday life, whether that be through training or battle. His twin brother is the god Mogis the god of the dark side of the war, and these 2 can often be seen skirmishing against one another.
Karametra
The goddess Karametra is the next goddess in the pantheon, she is the patron of agriculture, harvest, and community, she is represented by the colors white and green. Through her guidance, the people of Setessa have mastered the art of agriculture. This manipulation of plants to grow crops puts her at odds with Nylea and the 2 have a shaky relationship as the goddess of the forest doesn't feel comfortable with Karametras meddling with the natural order while the other sees it as helping with growth.
Keranos
The fifth minor god is Kenros, the god of fury, insight, and inspiration he is represented by the colors blue and red. He can grant great epiphanies to those he deems worthy, which is few for he has little love of mortals and their fancies. He has one disciple that he has granted his favor and that is the queen of Akros a woman by the name of Cymede, for she spreads his name where she can and is a woman of great determination and passion.
Mogis
Next up we have the god slaughter, wrath, and pain, the god Mogis who is represented by the colors black and red. He is the dark side of war and is the twin brother of Irous and wants nothing more than to bring chaos and pain through combat. The majority of his followers are the warlike Minotaurs and so also take the shape of one except his lower body is that of a bull.
Kruphix
The seventh of the minor gods is the god Kruphix, the god of potential and the oracle of dreams, he is represented by the colors green and blue. He is the oldest of all Pantheon and not many know of when exactly he came into being, he takes no real physical form and instead looks like the sparkling void of the Nyx shaped like a man. He isn't like the other gods in that he doesn't require many followers and is rarely seen or spoken to. Kruphix has one temple to his name at the edge of the world with a single oracle that he communes with named Kydele.
Pharika
The next minor god of the pantheon is the goddess, Pharika, the patron of affliction, alchemy, and dark magic, she is represented by the colors green and black. It is said that she hides the greatest of all cures and poisons throughout the natural world and in the blood of its many dangerous creatures, that especially of the gorgon, beings of her creation which she shares a form with.
Phenax
The god Phenax is the next on our list, he is the god of deception, secrets, and betrayal, he is represented by the colors blue and black. As you could imagine Phenax is a popular god among criminals and spies, his name is whispered in the underbellies of the city, in gambling halls and secret alleyways. It is Phenax who granted the planeswalker Ashiok the ability to remain hidden from the other gods for he favored the planeswalker's devious plans.
Xenagos
The final god on this list and the antagonist of the story last time we were on Theros is the satyr god Xenagos, patron of revels, he is represented by the colors red and green. Even before he was born Xenagos was destined for a life of violence and overindulgence, for he murdered his twin sister in the womb, and rather than be disguised his mother embraced his nature for she saw greatness in him. When he was older his spark ignited and he used its power to travel the multiverse to the party as much as he could and kill where he saw fit. But after a while, he grew bored of this and he hungered for something more, to become something more... a god.
He then returned to Theros and started off by destroying the temples of the gods blinding them from the world and sewing chaos in the pantheon, not long after he got his wish and ascended to godhood. He then set his eyes on the Polis of a man laying waste to them, and when Elspeth went to stop him he defeated her and for her failure, she was banished to the woods by Heliod. He would not be god for long though for Elspeth would return for revenge with the help of Ajani. Together they would journey to Nyx to put a stop to him and set things right. After a long fight he was defeated when Elspeth threw her spear into his chest striking the arrowhead that was stuck there from Nylea's bow, killing him then and there, and with that, the god of revels was no more.
Thanks for reading the Latest DiceTry Article. If you enjoyed this one then leave a comment letting me know and be check back often for more content just like this. Including the rest of the Theros Plane Breakdown. With that I'll catch you in the multiverse Bye!!
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